DENVER - Mike Shanahan decided Tuesday to stay with the Denver Broncos, turning down a possible move to succeed Steve Spurrier as Florida football coach. <br>
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Shanahan said he spoke with Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, but they didn't discuss contract terms. <br>
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``I listened to him as a friend, as a guy that I respect an awful lot, and listened to what the University of Florida had to offer,'' he said. <br>
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Shanahan said his main question was whether Broncos owner Pat Bowlen wanted him to stay. Bowlen does and ``that's all I needed to know,'' he said. <br>
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``I think I've got the best job in pro sports. I've got a job to do and I would not want to walk out or leave with an 8-8 season,'' Shanahan said. <br>
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Bowlen said Shanahan has four years left on his contract. <br>
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``As long as Mike wants to be the head coach here in Denver, he will be the head coach here in Denver,'' Bowlen said. <br>
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Shanahan became the second high-profile coach in two days to withdraw as a candidate. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said he was staying with the Sooners hours after he met with Foley on Monday. <br>
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Foley then traveled to Denver to meet with Shanahan, his longtime friend. The pair met for nearly two hours at Shanahan's home, then again at breakfast Tuesday. <br>
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Foley departed aboard a university jet, reportedly bound for New Orleans to talk to Saints defensive coordinator Ron Zook, a former Gators assistant who also has been mentioned as a candidate. <br>
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When Foley arrived Monday, he said he was in town to speak with Shanahan, but no offer had been made. <br>
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Shanahan canceled his Monday night appearance on his coach's show on KUSA-TV to meet with Foley. <br>
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Shanahan led the Broncos to Super Bowl titles in 1998 and 1999 but has endured three straight disappointing seasons. He was offensive coordinator at Florida from 1980-83 and has been the coach of the Broncos since 1995. <br>
